Obsessed with the IPhone (camera)

The IPhone camera makes it easy to spontaneously capture and chronicle events.
I take pictures randomly to post on the blog and Instagram and look at scenes with an eye for a possible photo op...
When I look around I see so many things worthy of recording, so many things of beauty.

I am aware that when I am behind the camera lens that I might not be totally "present" in any given situation.
So I am careful not to let this habit prevent me from fully engaging in the "moment."

Having said that...
I have many images on my camera roll.

An early morning visitor.

If you look closely you can see two grey haired gals in this photo and we are both wearing glasses!

taken from the overhead walkway at the entrance to Holt Renfrew

Mosaic tiled pool at The Vancouver Art Gallery...such a lovely shade of cobalt blue.

We did a lot of walking on our recent visit to Vancouver.

One of the most picturesque walks was False Creek to The Olympic Village and around the Science Centre and over The Granville Street Bridge and back to False Creek.

Public art on a grassy space along the walkway along False Creek

you can see the reflection of the ocean and skyline if you look closely.

Gigantic Jelly Beans perhaps?

Bird sculptures at The Olympic Village

This young child was having a wonderful time sliding down the bird's' tail feathers.

The utilitarian manhole covers were intricately detailed...

they are really quite beautiful.

All this walking gave us an appetite.

We lined up early for the first seating of dinner at the iconic Vij's.

Vikram Vij's Indian Fusion restaurant is located in the South Granville neighbourhood.

It is very popular and is always packed with eager diners.

The food is amazing!

It was a lovely evening and you can see the line up along the sidewalk.

Rangoli is next to Vij's and serves up the same delicious Indian fusion cuisine and they offer take away if you don't want to stand in line.

I did not take any pictures of the food as it was too dark.

The flowers in the ladies washroom were artfully arranged.

The next morning we met our friends for a tasty brunch at Abigail's Party in Kits.

We arrived early and put our name on the list for a table.

This spot is popular and there was a line up...

I opted for the Californian...

Dungeness crab cakes topped with avocado with poached eggs on top.

They were yummy...

we had a great holiday in Vancouver and although there was a lot of walking there was even more eating!

I hopped on the scale this morning and this is how I felt!

It's time to start counting my points again!

I went on a 10K walk this morning and ate a salad for dinner.

 Another instalment in The Ugly Truth series is in the works...

Hope your week is off to a great start...

Be Well and Be Kind.

Shopping in Vancouver...

Mr. HB had a conference in Vancouver last week and asked me if I would like to tag along...
I said 'Yes!"
He said "Will you be able to amuse yourself while I am at the Conference Centre?"
Smiling broadly...I say "Absolutely!"

We boarded the BC Ferry and enjoyed a relaxing scenic cruise under sunny skies.

I met up with my friend Cheryl Fortier, the talented artist who lives part time in False Creek on a boat with her husband John and part time in Auvilar France.

We met up for coffee at Cafe Artigiano (tea for the Hostess) and caught up on the news from France.
Thankfully Cheryl is over the worst of the jet lag.

We shopped along Robson before enjoying a delicious and healthy lunch at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

I spied a Lamborghini in my favourite colour.

an environmentally friendly Tesla which I would love to own...

West Elm on South Granville had some great merchandise...

this cheery red Smeg fridge and toaster are gorgeous.

A trip to South Granville would not be complete without a browse in Eileen Fisher or Anthropologie...

I loved the clothes in EF especially the soft black leather jacket which retails for $1200.00

(approximately the cost of a return flight to Paris!)

How cute are these?

Boboli had some high end clobber...

(Faux Fuchsia would love their sequins and sparkly frocks)

The weather was rainy but it did not dampen our spirits.

Mr. HB and I met up for dinners and walks with our friends over the course of the weekend.

 I did get into some mischief...

She reminds me a little of Dame Edna...

this image is the "speak no evil" in one of the three elevators in the hotel.

A wee bit embarrassing...

"conspicuous consumption."

Mr. HB and my sister both needed their scents...

I am always happy to oblige.

I needed a new case for my new IPhone.

  Holt Renfrew had a Kate Spade case with my name on it.

I couldn't decide between these two candles so Mr. HB said buy them both...

Jamie Cat Callan mentioned that I might want to pack an expandable bag for the return trip from Paris next spring.

Being a rookie at international travel I am happy to get expert advice so I found this travel bag La Pliage by Longchamp that is light but strong and expands to a large sturdy tote.

It comes in many shades but Mr. HB and I agreed that I should opt for black...as it is my go to colour for bags!

I love this bag from the Vancouver Art Gallery

it fits into a small pouch...

an eco friendly light weight shopping tote. 

Sephora on Robson opened and they were giving away umbrellas with a $25 purchase...

we needed one and I love Fresh Sugar lippy and our lovely DIL introduced me to Caudalie Divine Oil and I have never looked back!

That's it for now...my book is calling my name...

I'll be back....

Hope you've had a fun weekend.

Happy Halloween!

'

Happy Halloween from The Humble Bungalow Hostess!

Loving the Orange  Pumpkins that are artfully arranged outside on Robson Street. 

The rain has just let up after two days of torrential downpour. 

My coat, bag and boots are drying out before we attempt another shopping expedition. 

The view from the 10th floor of our hotel...

More beautiful Orange Trees. 

I have been on a bit of a buying binge as I met up with a good friend and we had some jolly good fun shopping Robson and South Granville Streets. We enjoyed a fabulous healthy lunch at The Vancouver Art Gallery Cafe. Quinoa salad and a bowl of soup helped us recharge after dodging raindrops that fell with great fervour. We bought pretty cloth bags in the Gift Shoppe to protect our purchases, which were in damp paper bags that were threatening to disintegrate at any moment. 

The new iPhone 5S is getting quite the work out...I am snapping photos like mad!

Popped into Holt Renfrew and bought a new Kate Spade case  and some Diptyque candles. I couldn't decide between the two scents so Mr. HB said buy them both! 

I am using my IPad for this post and it is not as easy as I would have thought so please excuse me. 

Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween. 🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻

Falling in love with colour...in nature but not in my wardrobe.

Fall colours are feeding my soul...
at every turn I see beauty.

A lush bush is vibrant with a riot of orange berries.

A gorgeous canopy of Autumn Leaves on a street in Oak Bay.

We move on to The Humble Bungalow Garden.

Jude the Obscure has bloomed all summer and now is offering up more roses and buds.

Hey Jude you must be a late bloomer!

Most of the other plants have decided to take a rest.

The garden is in transition.

The "bones" of the garden are showing through and it is a great time to enjoy the hardy grasses.

The Limelight Hydrangea's are fading...

but not before changing their floppy heads to pink.

Talk about turning heads!

This white hydrangea has turned pink too...

and the boxwood in the planter is turning amber.

One lone white bloom has popped out...another late bloomer.

Obviously it is "listening to a different drummer!"

McCartney rose is on the band wagon too...

A tardy limelight just coming into it's own...

A pot of yellow mums keeping the last of the geraniums company on the front porch.

The fruit bowl is empty and I need to go shopping...

I find it so much easier to shop for food than for clothing.

I think I am fussy...

fussy about fit

fussy about style

fussy about fabric 

fussy about the cost

fussy about how much I'll wear it.

My wardrobe could use a few new items to replace those tired well worn basics that I donated last spring.

I've found a great pair of Calvin Klein medium wash denim jeans. 

They are a slightly longer length and will be worn for dressier occasions with kitten heels.

I'm looking for some colourful ballet flats to add some oomph to my basic daytime look and hope to find them in Vancouver when we next visit.

The Colours of Fall are not infiltrating my wardrobe...

I eat colourful food, the brighter the better.

I'm still comfy and confident wearing neutrals.

Black and grey are the top stars.

Chester

Pepper

I am blaming the cats and their mouse for my latest purchases!

Uniqlo tee in a blue grey shade.

A basic style that I love for layering in the cooler weather.

The fit is flattering and the weight of the top is just right.

On the days when I am not wearing  a tank top and a cashmere cardigan

I've been wearing down vests over these tees...

I've been smitten with grey sweaters.

 On a lazy morning, while sipping my tea, I went on a Pinterest binge hunting for chunky knit sweaters...

I pinned and I pinned and I pinned...

but that did not satisfy the urge to own one of my own.

I found this DEX sweater at our local Bay store for under $50.

I love the weight of the sweater...so cozy.

I like the longer length in the back and the rolled up sleeves.

I'll be wearing this a lot with a cozy scarf wrapped around my neck.

Jeans and boots will complete the look.

~ It's my personal take on casual clothing ~

Retirement has it's schleppy moments and there is no dress code as such but one does need to keep up appearances.

I own some Yoga pants but no sweats...

I don't want to dress down just because I no longer work outside the home.

My after 5 wardrobe is small and as you might have guessed is mostly black!

I find that I can get by with several skirts and pretty tops and a few LBD's.

Most places that we go...

I have something in my closet that will work so that I am not panicked and muttering...

"I have NOTHING to WEAR!"

The cats are meowing for their dinner so I must close for now.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow.

I hope you'll drop by again soon.

Hostess